A hunter who left the island with COVID-19 symptoms after being here for several days has tested positive for COVID-19 on the mainland. That’s according to a statement earlier this afternoon from the St. James and Peaine Township COVID19 Task Force. On the island for several days, the hunter had contact with others in his party and visited both a bar and a restaurant on the island according to the Task Force. Other reports tell us that the Shamrock and the Beachcomber are the places involved. After getting the positive test result, this person promptly notified those with whom he was in contact on the island as well as the Shamrock and Beachcomber. Shamrock and Beachcomber management promptly spoke to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan and, on their advice temporarily closed while notifying persons who had been on the premises while the person now diagnosed was there.
In connection with this positive case and related exposures, the Task Force has updated its Public Statement of COVID-19. It urges the following precautions:
| Limit your interaction with others as much as possible. Wear a Mask. Respect Social Distancing and Avoid Gatherings Wash your Hands. Monitor your Health. Pay attention for COVID-19 symptoms: Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath |
The Health Center has says that if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVIF-19, you should self-quarantine for five days from the date of the exposure and get tested. They report having plenty of test kits and say that results are usually available in two days.
This news comes as new closure orders and restrictions come into place across the state—including a shut-down of in-person service at bars and restaurants, moving high-school students to virtual class sessions and further limiting the number of people who can assemble in a group. In response to these new restrictions, St. James Township Supervisor Kitty McNamara has adopted a statement that requires all township meetings to be conducted by teleconference or cancelled, limited access to township buildings, and all township work to be conducted from home to the extent possible, among other things. These measures are in effect through December 8th, and may ne extended through the end of the year.
The full text of the Task Force Statement and the Township Supervisors Directive are available on the WVBI COVID-19 Info Site.
This item first appeared on the WVBI COVID-19 Info Page at https://wvbi.biccenter.org/covid-19.
